How I Fixed the Honda HRN 216 Surging Issue!

[@Ron-u2k]

Thanks!

[@baldeagle242]

Much appreciated! Thank you.

[@ScottMarsh-q7i]

Excellent video. I followed your instructions, and the surging issue is gone. The only issue I had was I was unable to get the screw out of the area inside the bowl. Fortunately, that wasn't the issue.

[@garyalensr]

The way you show your viewers how to fix equipment is simply awesome!!! I really appreciate the fact that you take the time to show every little detail. Ive been a subscriber of yours forever now and have learned so much from you. I do fix all mine and my familys stuff, and because of you ive been able to accomplish that. I just wanna thank you for all your hard work you do to bring us the videos you do. I know it must not be easy. Thank you again good sir, your awesome!!!

[@baldeagle242]

I appreciate the kind words. It’s comments like this that keep me motivated to make more. 😁👍

[@dano521]

By far the the best information video I’ve ever seen on KZbin and most to the point and helpful Thank You

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Good one, Steve! I appreciate that you mention the safety aspects of what you’re doing as you go through the procedures. Not so much for me, but for all the novices out there trying this stuff for the first time. 🔧👍

[@baldeagle242]

It’s something that seems natural to me but you’re right, there are a lot of people watching these videos that may not comprehend the dangers. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Great how to video Steve. I always enjoy your DIY videos. They also have a recall on the camshafts in some of those 170cc honda. You were very thorough as always with your info! 👍🇺🇸🦅

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you! I heard about the recall but hadn’t thought to check till I saw your comment. This one is included in the recall. Apparently the engine has a known problem where it kicks back and rips the pull cord out of your hand.

[@chuckself5671]

Logical and thorough explanation of this minor repair that will save me time and frustration. Thank you!

[@adamkorekach9936]

I have a Ridgid gas powered, portable air compressor that is doing the same thing. Only runs on full choke and keeps surging like in the video. I’ve already cleaned the fuel tank once and the carb twice. I did all the jets except for the emulsifier tube and jet you show here. Can’t wait to screwdriver that apart and try the bread tie trick!

[@baldeagle242]

Are you dealing with frustrating carburetor surges on your Honda HRN 216 or Honda GCV 170? This video provides a simple fix to get your mower running smoothly again. We cover everything from identifying the issue to implementing an effective solution. This guide is perfect for DIY enthusiasts looking to perform a carburetor adjustment or repair on their own. In this tutorial, we'll walk through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve common carburetor surges in your Honda HRN 216 and GCV 170. Whether you need a minor carburetor adjustment or a more in-depth carburetor cleaning, we've got you covered. We'll also share maintenance tips to prevent future surging issues and keep your Honda mower in top shape. If your Honda HRN 216 or GCV 170 is experiencing engine surging, this video will give you the knowledge and confidence to fix it. We'll walk you through the entire process, ensuring your lawn mower runs as smoothly as possible. Say goodbye to frustrating surges and hello to a perfectly tuned engine! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest videos on small engine repair, mower maintenance, and carburetor troubleshooting. Let's get your Honda mower back to peak performance! Tools and Supplies We Use in Our Shop PB Swiss Screwdrivers (Awesome Screwdrivers!) amzn.to/3xTiJHz 1/4 Inch Drive Socket and Ratchet Set amzn.to/3zFZDFp HRN 216 COMPLETE Tune-up Kit amzn.to/4cTVwDP Twist Ties Pack of 100 amzn.to/3S2ynXS Premium Carb Cleaning Kit amzn.to/46henqF Choke And Parts Cleaner, 14 oz. amzn.to/3xHUjkp KoverBond Plastix-27 Plastic Repair System (Discount Code BALDEAGLE242) shopusa.koverbond.com/?ref=BALDEAGLE242 (See our video on this!) Plastic Welding Hot Stapler Repair Welder Kit a.co/d/0TcxIQX Rochford Vinyl Cement for Seat Repair (See our video on this!) amzn.to/4bCCQYj Mini Tire Changer for mower, go-kart, and most small tires. amzn.to/31eHgGp The drill bits I use are lifetime-warranted Molybdenum from Drill Hog. www.amazon.com/dp/B010US18BG/?tag=eagle0f1-20 Titanium MIG 140 Welder Works with Flux Core (No Gas needed - 110 volts) amzn.to/3mqj3oP Titanium MIG 170 Welder Works with Flux Core or Gas (110 or 220 volts) bit.ly/3k8GUrD As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These links help you find the products I've used in this video. Clicking these links will take you straight to the products on Amazon and help support this channel without costing you anything extra. Get the Motion Hero Pack that I use in my videos for Only $37 one-time investment. Use unlimited times on your own and client videos! baldeagle242--videohero.thrivecart.com/motion-hero-pack-1/ If you're a video creator on KZbin - Tube, Buddy is an excellent program to evaluate your videos and make recommendations to help you attract more viewers. www.tubebuddy.com/Baldeagle242

[@GreyRockOne]

Thanks! Good tips here for most mowers

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you! You’re right, it’s pretty similar on any carburetor fed small engine.

[@davidbohn7164]

Worked like a charm. The bread tie was perfect. Surge free. Well done!

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Hi Steve, as usual another great video and well explained 👍

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you my friend. 😁👍

[@JP67521]

Great instructions and video work.

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you!

[@saldiviajones1]

Fantastic video. Concise and easy to follow instructions. I got my mower working in half an hour.

[@williamlynch8101]

Great Video! I just go straight for the pilot jet, usually the problem. If that doesn't work, do the rest. It's all easy!

[@mikekress7584]

This was a Huge Help. The only issue that I had was finding how deep to insert a wire/pen into the top jet after I removed the screw. Still not sure,however I was able to clear the clog. Thank you again 😊

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you for watching. 😁👍

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Thanks for the tip brother 🙏

[@baldeagle242]

You’re welcome my friend. Thanks for stopping by. 😁👍

[@Big_Johns]

Nice job Steve as usual. 👍

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you John. 😁👍

[@Big_Johns]

Anytime brother. 👊

[@baldeagle242]

@Big_Johns 👊

[@RepairGang]

I'm so glad they went to a stud system the older Honda sucks

[@baldeagle242]

I agree, this mower is much easier to work on than the older style. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🦅🇺🇸

[@chadkacyon9808]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I was ready to set fire to my HRN216VKA which has exhibited this behavior multiple times since I've bought it. Doing what you described in this video has it running smoothly again. Unfortunately I think it will still act up at some point, but at least having this knowledge I could fix it a lot more quickly.

[@RichsMowersNBlowers]

That thing was clean and already had issues. Got to love today's fuel. Good video brother.

[@baldeagle242]

+@RichsMowersNBlowers Thanks for watching! The guy who owned it cut his grass with it one time and hired someone to cut it for him after that. It’s basically brand new but it sat in his garage for a couple years.

[@stephenormsby3662]

Very helpful. Thanks so much for posting.

[@ytlefty]

Thanks man this is exactly what was wrong with my mower. Much appreciated video!

[@baldeagle242]

That’s great, I’m glad it helped. I hope you consider subscribing and find other videos of value. 😁👍

[@marknye51.thefixitguy]

Good Video..Aloha from Mark Nyethefixeditguy.. I'll try cleaning it one more time and if it continues to surge, I'll order a new carb.. I've cleaned dozens of these carb and can usually get them working good. This is a brand new HRN216 with the GCV170. thermowax is working good , so I know it's the carburetor. Thanks for the great video..

[@malingehring165]

Thank you so much for this. I bought that machine 2 weeks ago. After 2 uses, when the engine starts to warm up, it would "surge" (do a constant.. BRUMM>>> BRUMM>>>). I returned it today and am afraid to buy any new machine, considering the high prices. I refuse to buy an expensive machine that I have to dismember so quickly.

[@baldeagle242]

It’s very common on the newer equipment. They make the passages as tiny as possible to provide the absolute minimum fuel supply to meet emissions standards. It’s gotten so bad that Honda quit making small engines last year.

[@steamboatwillie935]

Borrow the wife's glass pitcher!!?? That's going to be some nasty tasting Kool-Aid!! 😂

[@baldeagle242]

Believe it or not I “borrowed” that about 10 years ago and somehow it’s survived in my shop without getting broken. It’s actually a large flower vase. 😁👍

[@anthonyrichardson5217]

Awesome it worked! I am not good with engines etc!! Thank you!!

[@tonym6920]

Excellent video, thanks!

[@jeffselano2300]

by a mile the best video on this subject THank you

[@baldeagle242]

+@jeffselano2300 Thanks for watching! Hopefully you’ll find other videos I’ve posted interesting or useful. kzbin.info/aero/PL5_ZXmQpcjpac4UV8OW8g-IWVCR8tqy79&si=RKfnQL-PAcZFy67a

[@highman9836]

Awesome video, just subscribed

[@baldeagle242]

@@highman9836 Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful. 😁👍

[@colsearle]

Thanks so much !

[@baldeagle242]

You’re welcome. Thanks for the tip. Very much appreciated.

[@colsearle]

Thanks for the video it's spot on. Question, On my Izy carb there is a sprung loaded "Throttle Stop" screw that's above the pilot jet access screw. I counted about 10 turns out and in. Can this screw be used to control the max RPM or is that only done by the governor. Thanks again.

[@baldeagle242]

@@colsearle Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad the video helped you out. As for the “Throttle Stop” screw, it can indeed affect the RPM to some extent. Adjusting it carefully can help bring the RPM down a bit, but just keep in mind that it’s generally meant to set the throttle’s resting position rather than be a precise RPM control. If you turn it a little at a time and test it, you should be able to get the RPM closer to where you want it without needing to follow the official government adjustment procedure. Just go slowly to avoid over-adjusting. If the RPMs are extremely high you may need to adjust the governor to get it correct. Let me know if that helps!

[@colsearle]

@@baldeagle242 Just had a go with a long screwdriver although it's virtually a blind feel job and yes i'm happy to report 1 and a half turns out and she sounds perfect now. My Honda carb assembly has the long bolts and it's a real handful to get the assembly on. i noticed yours has studs with nuts. That design looks so much easier to assemble. Thanks again your video has helped me so much. It was the pilot in my case too.

[@davesusek3330]

Great video

[@baldeagle242]

+@davesusek3330 Thanks for watching! Hopefully you’ll find other videos I’ve posted interesting or useful. kzbin.info/aero/PL5_ZXmQpcjpac4UV8OW8g-IWVCR8tqy79&si=RKfnQL-PAcZFy67a

[@TheRustyRooster]

Y'all pay attention ol-Baldeagle242 is dropping alot of great info.

[@baldeagle242]

Thank you my friend! I’m trying to clear out all the push mowers so I can get back on the riders. 😁👍

[@ronknotts6601]

I have found the simplest way to solve carburetor issues. I order a new carburetor from Amazon. $29.00 later and it runs like brand new.

[@HectorRodriguez-np6yl]

Which model is it

[@ronknotts6601]

@@HectorRodriguez-np6yl Honda GVC 170

[@ronknotts6601]

@@HectorRodriguez-np6yl but I have also done this on two Kohler engines also.

[@redshift5050]

It worked. Problem was the main jet.

[@vancependleton8484]

Baldeagle242, I have a brand new Honda HRN216VYA. It's never touched the grass yet. It has a tiny bit of a surge at idle without the blades engaged. When I engage the blades, the surge goes away. Do you think Honda has it set to where it will idle lean until the air filter gets a little dirty?

[@baldeagle242]

@@vancependleton8484 a small surge like that may be corrected by turning the adjustment screw fully to the left.

[@thewiseguy7100]

5:57 Do you have the measurements for the flathead? All my flatheads are too big or too small to remove the jet… I saw your link but too expensive for me

[@baldeagle242]

I’m not sure what the measurement is but I’ve taken cheaper screwdrivers and filed or ground the sides down to make them work.

[@abraham0870]

6:05 I have both ps swiss #3 and #4 do you think #4 will fit to take out the brass main yet? I need to hear opinions before return one of them. Thanks

[@BocoGreenpeace]

No luck for me as the pilot screw has seized, even after applying heat, yes a bit sketchy, but still no luck. So, bought a new carb and will use ethanol free fuel.

[@marknye51.thefixitguy]

One more comment then I'll sign off. After I cleaned the carb it started and ran great for about 5 minutes and then here comes the surging again. I'll do a complete cleaning one more time and if it still surges I'll order a new carb

[@baldeagle242]

I would check for air leaks around the carburetor as well. If there is any excess air getting in this will also cause surging.

[@thomastrollope7896]

Didn’t seem to solve my issue. Auto choke works, carb is very clean, gas is fine. My mower has the roto stop feature where you can let go of the bar and it still runs. If I hold the throttle open it delivers gas just fine and runs perfectly. Any ideas?

[@BE242_CH2]

I would pull the adjustment screw all the way out. Before you do this, screw it in as far as it will go and count how many turns it takes to bottom out. Once you know how many turns it took, back it all the way out, check the tip for contamination, and clean out the adjustment hole as well as the pilot jet hole a second time. Put the adjustment screw back in till it bottoms out again, and back it out the same number of turns you started with. My assumption is this will take care of your issue, but if not, slowly back the adjustment screw out till the engine smooths out.

[@muneebahmed4873]

Tried everything cleaned the carburetor but still same issue

[@baldeagle242]

@@muneebahmed4873 Surging in a lawnmower typically occurs when the engine speed fluctuates rapidly. This issue is often caused by problems with the fuel system, air intake, or carburetor. Below is a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to help you fix a surging lawnmower, along with explanations of what causes surging at each stage. Step 1: Check and Replace the Air Filter Cause: A dirty or clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, leading to a rich fuel mixture and causing the engine to surge. Solution: • Locate the air filter housing on your lawnmower. • Remove the cover and take out the air filter. • Inspect the filter. If it’s dirty or clogged, replace it with a new one. • Reassemble the air filter housing and start the engine to see if the surging has stopped. Step 2: Inspect the Fuel System Cause: Old or contaminated fuel can cause inconsistent fuel delivery, leading to surging. Solution: • Drain the fuel tank to remove any old or stale gasoline. • Refill the tank with fresh, high-quality gasoline. • Check the fuel lines for any cracks or leaks. Replace them if necessary. • Inspect the fuel filter. If it’s clogged or dirty, replace it. Step 3: Clean the Carburetor Cause: A dirty or gummed-up carburetor can disrupt the fuel-air mixture, causing surging. Solution: • Locate the carburetor on your lawnmower. • Turn off the fuel valve and remove the carburetor from the engine. • Disassemble the carburetor, being careful to keep track of all the small parts. • Use a carburetor cleaner spray to thoroughly clean all parts, including jets and passageways. • Reassemble the carburetor and reinstall it on the engine. • Start the lawnmower to check if the surging issue is resolved. Step 4: Adjust the Carburetor Cause: Improper carburetor settings can cause the engine to run too lean or too rich, resulting in surging. Solution: • Locate the idle and mixture screws on the carburetor. • With the engine running, adjust the screws slightly to achieve a smooth and steady idle. • Turn the mixture screw in small increments to fine-tune the fuel-air mixture. • Listen to the engine’s response. The goal is to find the setting where the engine runs smoothly without surging. Step 5: Inspect and Clean the Fuel Cap Cause: A clogged fuel cap vent can create a vacuum in the fuel tank, restricting fuel flow and causing surging. Solution: • Remove the fuel cap and inspect the vent hole. • If the vent is clogged, clean it with a small needle or pin. • Replace the fuel cap and start the engine to check if the surging is resolved. Step 6: Check for Vacuum Leaks Cause: Vacuum leaks can cause an imbalance in the fuel-air mixture, leading to surging. Solution: • Inspect the carburetor gasket and manifold seals for any cracks or leaks. • Check all hoses connected to the carburetor and engine for signs of wear or damage. • Replace any damaged gaskets, seals, or hoses. Step 7: Inspect the Governor System Cause: The governor controls engine speed. If it’s malfunctioning or improperly adjusted, it can cause surging. Solution: • Locate the governor linkage connected to the carburetor. • Ensure the linkage is not stuck or binding. • Check that the governor spring is intact and properly tensioned. • If necessary, adjust the governor according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Step 8: Check Spark Plug and Ignition System Cause: A faulty spark plug or ignition system can cause intermittent firing, leading to surging. Solution: • Remove the spark plug and inspect it for wear, carbon buildup, or damage. • If the spark plug is dirty or worn, replace it with a new one. • Check the spark plug gap using a feeler gauge and adjust it to the manufacturer’s specifications if needed. • Inspect the ignition coil and wires for damage. Replace any faulty components. Step 9: Test the Engine with Load Cause: Surging can sometimes be more pronounced when the mower is under load, indicating an issue with engine performance under stress. Solution: • Start the engine and engage the blades or put the mower under load. • Observe the engine performance. If surging persists, recheck the steps above or consult a professional for further diagnosis. Final Thoughts: If you’ve followed all these steps and the lawnmower continues to surge, it may be time to consult a professional mechanic. Persistent surging could indicate a more serious issue, such as internal engine problems or a failing component. Proper maintenance and regular service can prevent surging and keep your lawnmower running smoothly.